Valley, L.A. have more in common, U.S. Census finds

The latest U.S. Census numbers find that the Valley and the rest of L.A. aren't as different as they once were. The Daily News' Tony Castro says that the Valley continues to get more diverse. In addition, he writes:

The latest report also shows that Los Angeles overall was catching up to the Valley in terms of high school graduation levels.

According to the update, released by Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, Valley residents spend an average of 28.7 minutes commuting to work -- 5 percent longer than the average Californian and 12 percent longer than the average American.

From 2000 to 2007, Los Angeles has made greater gains than the Valley in graduating high school students and in the number of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the new report said.

The Valley still has a higher percentage of high school graduates than all of L.A., but Los Angeles made faster improvements during the period.

The same is true for residents holding college degrees. The Valley has a higher percentage, but L.A. residents overall had a higher improvement rate.

-- Shelby Grad